09 July 2007

9th July 2007

5:23 PM — An attempt by a conservative Republican to block the appointment of a federal judge because she had attended a same-sex commitment ceremony was defeated in the US Senate yesterday.Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas is one of the less prominent politicians vying for the Republican party's nomination for President.Last year he blocked the nomination of Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Janet Neff to the federal court.

5:23 PM — The Gay Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Outfest, a leading showcase for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) film and video in Los Angeles, by announcing an ongoing collaboration.Beginning this month, GLAAD will donate its extensive annual film and television collection to the Outfest Legacy Project."Each year, GLAAD monitors and archives thousands of hours of film and television," said GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano.

5:06 PM — In a dramatic u-turn Wal-Mart, the largest grocer in the US and the second largest in the world, has taken a coy step back from the active support it was previously giving to gay-rights groups.The anti-gay American Family Association (AFA) threatened to boycott Wal-Mart's next big sales period and condemned the blanket support it offered to gay-friendly business initiatives.The company succumbed to the AFA's latest threat to urge shoppers to boycott their post-Thanksgiving sale.

4:41 PM — The Bourne Free Pride Festival, held on 14th July, will see a welcome return of the popular beach front parade, as well as live shows and a brand new dance arena street party.The Bournemouth event is now in its fourth year.The day begins at 1pm with a nautical-themed parade travelling from the suburb of Alum Chine along the beach to the promenade.

4:03 PM — This weekend's General Synod in York resolved to create a disciplinary covenant that might see some gay-friendly clergy and bishops thrown out of the Anglican church.There is no resolution in sight as the Church of England continues to equivocate on the issue of the ordination of gay clergy.The rows over the blessing of same-sex relationships and the ordination of gay clergy threatens to split the worldwide Church.

3:32 PM — The Advocate, one of the most respected gay publications in the world, has decided to stop concealing itself from the world.From last week, subscription copies of the twice-monthly title are not wrapped up to conceal the front cover.While subscribers can still choose to receive an 'anonymous' copy in the post, most have opted to be open with their postman about their choice of reading material.

3:11 PM — Former Prime Minister Tony Blair is to recommend his close political ally Peter Mandelson for a peerage.Traditionally a departing PM draws up a resignation honours list, though for the first time the names put forward for the House of Lords will be scrutinised by the appointments commission.It is thought Mr Blair will only nominate a few people to the Lords because of the ongoing 'cash for peerages' criminal investigation.

2:18 PM — PinkNews.co.uk's new pseudonymous contributor reflects on lessons that can be learnt from the life and death of the genius who is the inspiration for his new weekly column.Alan Turing is no gay icon - and fortunately so.Today, that epithet is more representative of superficial (so-called) celebrities and their obsession with sex, drugs, fashion and every thing else that have come to epitomise popular culture.

2:03 PM — A South African gay couple divorced last week in the Praetoria High Court following just five months of marriage.IT support consultant Ignatius Kloppers van Zyl, 47, set in motion divorce proceedings against Jacques Liebenberg, 36.They were one of many homosexual couples who took advantage of legislation passed by the South African National Council in December 2006 permitting same-sex marriage.

1:32 PM — A married woman admitted to a court this morning that she made a false statement to a registrar, after she illegally entered into a civil partnership.Suzanne Mitchell appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court before Judge Robin Onions, who chastised her for giving a press interview about her story.The 29-year-old lives in Wingfield Gardens in Shrewsbury. Ms Mitchell, a mother of three children, denied the charges at an earlier magistrates hearing in March.

12:07 PM — 40 years ago this month, a campaiging Welsh Labour MP by the name of Leo Abse managed to guide a Bill through both Houses of Parliament.By a combination of smart tactics and appealing to politicians to pity those 'less fortunate' than themselves, he got them to agree to a partial decriminalisation of male homosexual relations.It brought an end to hundreds of years of legal persecution, as Alex Bryce explains.

11:10 AM — Ten people were injured when violence broke out at a gay Pride march in Zagreb on Saturday.Police arrested eight people, some of whom were reported to be armed with petrol bombs. A gang of around 20 young men taunted and abused the Pride participants.Despite the Croatian government granting limited partnership rights for gay and lesbian couples, homophobia remains rife in the country, which is overwhelmingly Roman Catholic.

10:42 AM — A man who flunked Massachusetts' bar exam is claiming in federal court that he failed the test because he refused to answer a question related to gay marriage.According to the Associated Press, a question came up concerning the rights of two married lesbians, their children and their property.Stephen Dunne says the question itself was "morally repugnant," because it legitimises same-sex marriage and parenting, which he opposes.

10:31 AM — Hungarian Socialist Gábor Szetey became the first elected political official in Hungary to publicly come out as being gay when he opened the 12th Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Film and Cultural Festival in Budapest last week.According to DPA, Mr Szetey's announcement came on the same day as junior coalition member the Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ) announced that it would ask for same-sex unions to be legalised.

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